Coffee with Dolphy [6:40]
Castaneda’s dreams [12:16]
Mixed clouds and sun [10:52]
Pixilation [11:25]
Breeze right through [8:29]
Over [10:46]
Gliding [12:57]
Bob Millikan, Nick Marchione, Valery Ponomarev,
John Eckert (trumpet), Sam Burtis, Keith O’Quinn,
Art Baron (trombone), George Flynn (bass trombone),
Lou Marini (soprano sax, alto sax, flute),
Rick Wald (alto), Loren Stillman (alto sax,
flute), Lew del Gatto (tenor sax, flute),
Paul Ostermayer (tenor sax, clarinet), Gary
Smulyan (baritone sax, bass clarinet), Ted
Kooshian (piano), Chip Jackson (bass), Jeff
Brillinger (drums)
No recording date given
A fine, enjoyable CD of big
band jazz, featuring a band that can be both
powerful and gentle and which is peopled with
accomplished soloists. All the compositions
and arrangements are by Rick Wald. The arrangements,
which are thoroughly competent and idiomatic,
are at times suggestive of, say, Thad Jones
and Gary McFarland, but there is no question
of mere imitation.
Some of the musicians will
be familiar to non-New-Yorkers, others less
so. All are jazz musicians of a high order
and there are some excellent, inventive solos.
The rhythm section is a joy throughout – the
work of Jackson and Brillinger has a flexible
certainty that underpins and prompts everything
else.
Rick Wald studied composing
and arranging with Herb Pomeroy – the Boston
based trumpeter and leader – from whom he
clearly learned good habits and a secure sense
of the creative balance/tension between soloist
and big band. Wald himself has worked in distinguished
company – such as the lee Konitz Nonet, the
Clark Terry big band and the Gerry Mulligan
Concert Jazz Band. On this recording he chooses,
modestly, not to give himself a very prominent
role as a soloist, preferring to let other
members of the band take the limelight.
There are fine solos (especially
on ‘Coffee with Dolphy’ and ‘Gliding’) by
altoist Loren Stillman, full of unexpectedly
long melodic lines and great clarity of thought;
the work of Gary Smulyan on baritone is hard-swinging
and sophisticated; Valery Ponomarev – older
readers will remember the Russian trumpeter’s
years with Art Blakey at the end of the 1970s
– is a supreme technician of his instrument,
but it is a technique which serves some sensitive
emotional expression. Chip Jackson proves
himself - notably on ‘Pixilation’ and ‘Gliding’
- to be as interesting a soloist as he is
an assured rhythmic foundation for the band;
Ted Kooshian’s piano work is subtle and alert,
Paul Ostermayer is tenor player in the great
tradition, clearly in the line of descent
from Coleman Hawkins. There are others – such
as John Eckert and Art Baron – who deserve
mention too.
In short, any admirer of
modern big band music is warmly encouraged
to take a listen to Rick Wald’s excellent
band. I feel sure that it will be widely enjoyed
by those who hear it. The "big"
record companies have little interest in musicians
and music such as these – more’s the pity.
Rick Wald has therefore issued this CD himself
– I, for one, am very grateful that he did.
Glyn Pursglove
CD Reviews
Glowbow 001 [73:28] 
